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OVER THE LAWN TO THE WHITE HOUSE 



BY 

MRS: M.^D.^llNCOLN, 

(Bessie Beech.) 



ILLUSTRATED BY -6 g^"^ V 

EMMA MAYNICKE. 



PUBLISHERS : 

M. D. LINCOLN AND E. MAYNICKE, 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 1893. 



^ 






Copy right 1S93 

BY 

M- D. LINCOLN AND E. MAYNICKE. 



Press cf 

GIBBS & GUZMAN, 

Washington. D. C. 



L-i^t of niu^troition^ 



1. The Breezes OF Spring WEFE BEGINNING to blow. 

2. And they marched two by two with their torches of gold. 
]. Young Benjamin gracefi lly bowed to Miss Ruth. 

4. A double salute from each beetle and bird. 



t®ref 



ace. 



On the important occasion of March 4th, 1S93 all the children who 
have lived in the White House return as flowers, and form an escort to 
little Ruth Cleveland who is gowned in the exquisite Chr3^santheniums 
named in her honor. 

Master Benjamin Harrison McKee, costumed in the flower called 
b}- his name, gracefully surrenders the Lawn to Miss Ruth, and the 
flowers, marching two by two with bands and bells escort the little 
maiden to the Mansion, when they vanish as suddenl}- as they appear. 

M. D. L. 



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in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/overlawntowhitehOOIinc 



I KildKoGcL in the u/Kile ^ouse. 



pHE breezes of Spring were beginning to blow, 

And the dainty sweet flowers were tossed to and fro, 
Still drowsy from Winter's soft lullaby song, 
Like fair little children who slumber too long. 

For curled up so closely in snug little rows, 
They rubbed their dull eyes and peeped out from the snows, 
They whispered of something and talked in their sleep, 
Of a secret they feigned they were trying to keep. 

How long that strange gossip had lasted that day, 
Not even the queen of the flowers could say. 
An event of great interest had happened no doubt. 
For they suddenly wakened and gazed all about. 

Not a sound, not a murmur, or rustle, was heard, 
Not a thing but the whirr of a twittering bird, 
Then a sound like a lute, or the swing of a branch, 
And behold a commotion all over the ranch! 



4OME wonderful thing made a stir 'mong tlie flower.s, 
•^» And the fairies peep out of their beautiful bowers, 
For blossoms that never liad bloomed in the Spring, 
Came out in great splendor to dance and to sing. 

Chrysanthemums e\-erywhere, gorgeous and bright, 
In crimson and gold, in pink and in white 
Bloomed regal that day, for their namesakes to wear, 
They scattered their petals and we gathered them there. 

And we quickly discovered the secret so deep. 
As each blossom came forth from its long Winter's sleep. 
The Corollas were faces, their garments the flowers. 
That had bloomed long ago in some far away bowers. 

They came from the White House as children of yore, 
And stood in the Sunlight and gazed o'er and o'er. 
Some shadows, some sunshine, each little one brought, 
As they gathered the flowers and gracefully wrought 



i 



JHAIR garlands for one who was baby and Queen, 
*^S" And sweet as the fairest these flowers had seen, 
That sprung into bloom as by magical wand, 
And wafted their perfume all over the land. 

When a city who^e streets had houses but few, 
And brambles and mud for the coach to pull through 
Was in Adams' time, and Jefferson's day, 
T'was scarce any better in park or highway. 

A memory dimmed by the cycle of years, 

And quaint little people, so the picture appears, 

The forests spread out, where the old mansion stood, 

When grandfather Adams said " his darlings were good." 

He raced with Susanna, and played hide and seek, 
And strolled with his pets many times through the week, 
" And Grandma's nice cookies were hung in a pail," 
For good little children who could reach the high nail. 



If N event of srreat note was the birth of a boy, 

'Jim 

1^^ The first in the White House, and of course there 

was joy, 
James Madison Randolph the lad known to fame. 
The grandson of Jefferson, and honored his name. 

What a famous old mansion for children to play ; 
When Cornelia and Mary ran a race every day, 
Virginia too, tried to win the " big prize," 
Her grandfather offered in " three figs of good size. 



&^ 



To tulips and hyacinths he gave pretty names. 
That Steptemiaand Ellen called princes and dames. 
They too, bloomed again in jackets so quaint, 
No artist would ever attempt them to paint. 

And then came the Madisons — a beautiful bride, 
Was young mistress Dolly, the President's pride ; 
The Nation's big heart she held in her hand, 
Andthev loved and esteemed her all over the land. 



^PjtO see the young queen without scepter or crown, 

^i Came the oldand the young whohad heard her renown, 
And children delighted to live in the place, 
Where her smile and her love were bestowed with such grace. 

Little Mary and Dolly lived over the square, 
And dear Mrs. Madison was many times there ; 
Or the children ran over, nor splendor nor pomp, 
Interfered with their pleasure in having a romp. 

Then the people elected Monroe to the chair, 
And honor there came with the burden and care ; 
But the thrall of high office with clamor and strife, 
Had a sweet compensation in the charm of young life. 

And Cupid came too ; the cunning and wise. 
He won a fair lady with beautiful eyes ; 
Sweet Marie Monroe, the first to wed there. 
Beloved at the White House, and queenly and fair. 



)nmll>lD a dear little maiden named after a queen ; 
■^^ Pretty Hortense in robes with a lustrous sheen, 
And a crown of fair lilies with petals of gold, 
Quite as rare as the jewels so precious and old. 

Still over the threshold there came many more. 
And its corridors echoed with mirth as of yore, 
For John Ouincy Adams had a heart for the young. 
And often their charms in quaint rythm he sung. 

Georgiana and Frances too, came with the crowd, 
And Grandfather Adams was happy and proud, 
" To clasp baby hands, and their melodies sing, 
If the smile and caress of an infant it bring." 

Then shadows and change made the Mansion like night, 
Till the presence of children brought gladness and light, 
The clouds rolled away, when their pattering feet ; 
. ' Danced over the threshold their grandpa to meet. 



"'||E see them come trooping, three little ones gay, 
l^^^J 'Tis Rachel, and Mary, and John all at play, 
A Forget-me-not chain reaches out from the past. 
And encircles them all, from the first to the last. 

And she who was fair to the Statesman's fond eyes. 
Little Mary, a lock of whose hair was a prize 
He chose to deposit, while others brought gold. 
He spread out the tress with the sun in each fold. 

She saw grandpa Jackson in a chase for June bugs. 
Or playing at mumble-the-peg, then kisses and hugs. 
Or each little one chasing for his pipe in great glee, 
All anxious to bring it and sit on his knee. 

T'was she now a matron, with honors and years. 
Who led the gay party and smiled on the dears. 
She gazed on the picture and memories came ; 
From the White House of old, to its incoming dame. 



'wf '^^^n&S) then Letitia and "Robert once more 

■^^ Who had frolicked with Tyler, and played o'er and o'er 

From garret to basement, and out in the woods, 

In their quaint little caps, and queer little hoods. 

And General Taylor had the young for his friends, 
And Bettie his daughter sweet memory sends. 
For each had some charm, or beauty, or grace, 
That lived in the heart, or made home of the place. 

And Filmore was blessed with daughters to lend 
A charm to the mansion, and with stern duties blend 
The sunlight of love, and the radiant gleam, 
That lightens the night with its lambent beam. 

Then Buchanan's fair niece with her beauty and grace'; 
And rare charm of manner, and lovely sweet face, 
Commanded the homage of lords in her reign, 
The gifted and beautiful Plarriet Lane. 



IKAR away in the distance of years little Ted, 

^- The darling of all, and best beloved " it was said," 

With a glimpse at first sad, then a halo of light 

Fell over his face and it grew strangely bright. 

And Willie came too, and they walked hand in hand, 
'Neath the trees where they loved with their father to stand — 
For an instant the picture grew strangely severe. 
And hosts came to view and throngs gathered near. 

Then a day passes by, and the nation grows old ; 
And history pales as the records unfold. 
The current glides on, but it's troubled and deep, 
While the peer of the nation is wrapped in sweet sleep. 

And yet happy faces and many bright eyes, 
Chase the burdens of state and bring hope to the skies; 
And never did matision resound with more mirth. 
Than little ones brought to the famous old hearth. 



fcllVE dear little darlings were Johnsons' delight, 

^^ And they shortened the days that grew dark 'ere twss 



night ; 



Not a cloud o'er their hearts, nor a shadow of care, 
They left only gladness to comfort him there. 

.Again there were groups of bright children at play. 
And sweet Nellie Grant led her maidens away. 
And Jessie came romping and his brothers would stray, 
Where his sister's young friends were gathered to plaJ^ 

Then flowers, and perfume, and chimes of the bell, 
And maidens in white, great secrets could tell, 
For the child was a bride and went over the sea ; 
But now all returned, and were passing by me. 

And over the lawn danced the feet of the young, 
Whom lovers had wooed, and whom poets had sung. 
Then a modest sweet maiden of summers but nine, 
Came over the terrace and fell into line. 







>6 



;' wYl ITH violet eyes Fannie Hayes sweetly beamed, 
i^^j And Master Scott too, was demure it seemed ; 
But the mansion resounded with frolic and song, 
And maidens and masters made a rollickinsr thronsf. 



*&• 



The picture is changed and another quite fair. 

Is the White House young mistress its honor to share. 

Pretty little Miss Garfield came over the lawn 

At even — and left the old mansion at dawn. 

Deep shadows fell over the once happy throng, 
There's gloom and forbodings where once there was song, 
Hearts buoyant and glad in the morning's clear light. 
Will remember forever the gloom of the night. 

But still little children made laughter and song. 
And roamed in and out amid the strange throng, 
Where statesmen talk gravely of matters so vast. 
And guided the nation till danger was past. 



\\!ND dolls have their homes beside the g^reat trees, 

'fas 

And youug Nellie Arthur one frequently sees, 
With her friends and their pets, on the lawn half the day, 
And then to their lessons they hasten away. 

Then a president came who was genial and wise, 
And he won a fair maiden with beautiful eyes ; 
Her true loyal heart loved the Nation's roof tree, 
Its heir looms were sacred as a kingdom could be. 

M''ith hearts for her kingdom, and love for her crown, 
Unchanged by our homage, her name will go down, 
A legacy loyal to country and home ; 
Where the stars float so proudly, from Liberty's dome ! 

Still onward the people, emphatic their voice. 
And Benjamin Harrison is the popular choice, 
i\s of old, infant feet and their patter resound, 
And four generations at the Mansion are found. 



|ABY Benjamin McKee the President's pride, 
Marathena, and Mary oft seen at his side, 
Grandma too, found sweet rest in their love and caress, 
From the day of her coming, till they laid her to rest. 

The shadows fell low ; the shadows fell fast, 

The dreariest day is at length gone and past, 

The children untouched by the shades of the night. 

Brought sunshine to cheer that was tender and bright. 

Floral Procession, March 4th, 1893. 

March winds .softly blow ; the past fades from view, 
The present succeeds with the hopes of the new. 
Bands play, people shout, and uniformed ranks, 
March on in unbroken and solid phalanx. 

But listen, and look ! there's another parade. 
We see in the back-ground a sweet little maid. 
Then troops of rare blossoms and wonderful bands, 
Blow bugles, and trumpets they hold in their hands. 



I-WnD liark ! what commotion the flowers all cheer ; 
^^^ And away go the fairies from far and from near, 
They lead off the blossoms and dance as they go, 
With petals as light as the beautifnl snow. 

Each flower had bells, and a band by itself; 
And each had a banner, upborne by an elf. 
And they were awake, as wide as conld be, 
All jolly, and bright, in their rollicking glee. 



They marched, two. by two, with their torches of gold ; 
The sun had just lighted, as upward it rolled 
Toward the splendor of noon, and the snow had turned gems, 
To deck the fair flowers, with bright diadems. 

And behold, a fair queen, by the flowers is lejld, 
With garments the sun and the showers have fed 
With a fiber like mist, dyed by sunsets of gold 
And crimson, that fell on each delicate fold. 



?ND the name of the beautiful Queen of the day 
^^ Was little Ruth Cleveland, and they led her away 
To a lawn spread like velvet in emerald green 
Where Baby McKee for years had been seen. 

Such nodding and bowing the flowers all made, 
As they offered their compliments and courtesies paid, 
To the Queen who was led by her maidens in white, 
To meet the young fellow just coming in sight. 

Young Benjamin bowed very low to Miss Ruth, 
And he led the procession, most gallant in truth, 
And she, like a Queen well bred and polite, 
Looked as regal in pink as Ben did in white. 

And Baby McKee, with a v/ave of his hand, 
And a touch of his hat to the tip of the band, 
Left the grass and the lawn to the Queen of the day, 
Who came to the White House to have a long play. 



V cheer and a shout from the flowers was heard, 
^^ And double sahite from each beetle and bird, 
While the flowers all marched in an escort, most gay, 
For Baby Ruth Cleveland had come there to stay. 

And a matron now mother, and a statesman appear. 
To receive the gay cortege as they proudly draw near, 
The flowers take wings, and their petals grow bright. 
As they wave a "good bye," and are lost to our sight. 



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